Ciento Once: The Texan Homage To Merc C111
US tuner re-imagines classic 1970s Mercedes show car
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then wedge-tastic Mercedes C111 concept from the 1970s can consider itself well and truly flattered.
Because this rather beefy - if not exactly curvy - piece of automotove loveliness is Texan tuner GWA's homage to the C111.
It's called the Ciento Once (Spanish fans will know this to mean 'one hundred and eleven' in, er, Spanish) and is a unique creation, commissioned by GWA's owner, Arturo Alonso.
But while the original show cars were either powered by a Wankel rotary diesel engine (or, in the case of the C111 thieves tried to nick while it was on its was to Mercedes-Benz world recently, empty air), the Ciento Once gets a rather more conventionally horny motor.
Mid-mounted in a tubular space frame chassis, the power plant is a M120 Mercedes V12 engine (like they use un the Zonda) with 408hp, which can be admired trough a glass on the rear deck. The engine is coupled to a 6-speed Cima H type transaxle.
The handmade aluminum body should help to keep the weight around 1400kg, while an electrically operated rear adjustable wing, a rear diffuser and front spoiler, and brakes from an S55 AMG should help keep everything under control.
The interior of the Ciento Once resembles the the 70s original, but with some updated features including carbon fibre seats covered in plaid, brushed aluminum pedals, dashboard accent, and illuminated door sills.
The Ciento Once won't be under-wheeled, either, with 265/35/19 rubber at the front and 295/30/20 tyres at the rear.
The third version of 1976 was quite different, this was the diesel car which was the subject of the theft attempt. This third version would not have made a practical road car.
I've always fancied both of the first two versions and vaguely entertained fantasies of trying to build a replica. GWA's take on the 1970 car is not bad, not bad at all.
Does anyone know what that book was called?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff